O2

[ablong]

Does anyone have to use o2 in addition to xpap? I am down to the middle 80's on room air
and some of my doctors say I should be using o2 in the mask at least while sleeping, one DR said at
least half of the day. I am using a Remstar bi-pap 13-20 auto and the sleep Dr says I am not have a
apena problem.
Does anyone know how to provide the necessary o2 without using the Ins and B&M DME
I would welcome any suggestions.
Thanks Allen

[Goofproof]

O2 is a prescribed product, Your Dr will have to script it. You will have to use a DME or Buy a O2 Pump online (Out of Pocket) jim

[Slinky]

I have COPD and I use 02, during the day as needed, and w/CPAP when first started on PAP therapy. When I was switched to a bi-level it was w/o 02 at first, then 2L of 02 was added.

Have the doctor who has said you need 02 w/your bi-level give you a script for a 5L concentrator. You can then buy a 5L concentrator online as you've indicated you want to do.

DeVilbiss, Invacare and Respironics are 3 manufacturers of 02 concentrators that I am aware of.

[scbeaver]

If cost is an issue, Invocare is $700 to $800, however if noise is important, the Respronics EverFlow Q is $2000. A DME gets paid the same for either machine. If getting the EverFlow, the Q is important, my wife had the Invocare and we had to keep it in another room. The EverFlow Q is quiet enough to stay in the bedroom.


Sleep Well

Steve

[jules]

make sure you don't get a PULSE concentrator for use with XPAP

[ablong]

Thanks everyone for the advice. For the moment I have a 0-5 liter concetrator that one of my Dr gave me
till it dies and no one knows when that might happen. Its noisy and makes a lot of heat.
but It makes traveling a bummer.

Allen

[Goofproof]

If you require O2 in the daytime, you can even get a O2 concentrator with a system of bottles it can refill for portable use. The cost of the system would probably be high. Jim

[ablong]

Thanks Jim Its out there .
Best Prices I have looked at are converter 600-1000
Home fill compressor to fill bottles 3750
bottles with the right fittings 300-500 for small easily carrying.
I really do not want to get involved with the Ins because of their contracts with
DME' stink. Some where their is a liquid setup but i do not Know much about it.

Allen

[Goofproof]

I used Lincare, it was almost painless, the unit was new but I ran it on a 50 foot hose from the next room. I have very good INS, never seen a bill. Jim

[provider]

FYI please don't use the HomeFill bottles while sleeping. The regulators are conserving devices and are not made for sleeping, but are for daytime awake breathing. Be sure to use a concentrator while sleeping. Size and sound-wise the EverFlo Q by Respironics or the Invacare PerfectO2 are the best. The Invacare model has an O2 sensor whereas the Respironics model does not.

If you purchase one please be sure to follow the manufacturer guidelines for maintenance. Some concentrators have internal filters that need to be cleaned and changed every 1-3 years depending on the model. The EverFlo doesn't have an internal filter but the Perfecto does. Respironics recommends preventative maintenance be performed on the EverFlo's internal parts every 2 years. Invacare recommends preventative maintenance and the filters be changed every 3 years on the Perfecto.

You might save money getting an older model concentrator, but if it is used I'd make sure it has had a once over on the inside and that it has been analyzed to ensure the output or saturation is acceptable.

Some patients I'm sure can handle this on their own, but if you can't find what you want or this seems daunting I'd suggest talking to your physician to see what local DME they recommend that takes good care of their O2 patients and get an idea of what pricing and rental structure they offer. Rarely do DME's sell the O2 concentrators because of liability. They generally only rent.

If you do decide to get your own equipment consider investing in an O2 analyzer to check your machine if it doesn't have an internal O2 sensor or a home pulse oximeter. You will also need an adapter to bleed in your oxygen into your PAP.

Good luck!

[Slinky]

There is an option w/the Respironics EverFloQ. I just read about it yesterday. Its called OPI or something similar and is a meter showing 02 output by the EverFlo Q.

[ablong]

Thanks Provider
I do not feel this O2 thing is rocket science but It needs to be dealt with a great amount
of respect.
allen

[provider]

Yep, Respironics now has the option w/ a sensor, model # 1020014.

[Slinky]

Provider, I like your avatar.

Is there any place where patients can actually see the various 02 concentrators BEFORE being supplied w/one? Like a place where they can actually "shop" and choose a model as they can a car or even to a limited degree a CPAP??

This rental bit, where you take what your provider supplies is a bit of a crock (to put it nicely). My first was a 5L DeVilbiss w/some 22550 hours on it. Noisy and hot. My second is a 5L Invacare Platinum XL. Also hot and noisy w/a heck of a thunk when it is turned on and off.

Once I was provided w/a 3L DeVilbiss when traveling that died half way thru my visit and my provider arranged w/a local provider to bring me a 5L that I didn't have enough sense to remember the brand and model of. It was QUIET and didn't throw anywhere near as much heat. I seem to remember it was a silver gray - and much more "attractive" if you can use that adjective for a concentrator - than the DeVilbiss or the Invacare and the Respironics EverFlo is one ugly looking thing and whilst I usually like blue, its a rather yucky color too in its pictures.

[Slinky]

For those who will be needing daytime 02 I would suggest a wonderful e-mail support list

EFFORTS@EFFORTSLIST.ORG

http://effortslist.org/scripts/wa.exe?A0=efforts